Flu was widespread in 47 states last week and California is now expecting the hit. The state’s public health officials are preparing for an increase in new flu patients with activity accelerating since December, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Dr. Gil Chavez, the state epidemiologist, told the newspaper that by next week, the flu is likely to be widespread in California.

“California has been the laggard,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “We expect it to continue to grow and peak sometime in the next month.”

Flu activity doesn’t usually peak until February or March, state health officials told the Times. California, as well as Mississippi and Hawaii, hadn’t reached widespread activity as of Friday.

This year’s flu season started strong and about a month earlier than normal, The Washington Post reported. Typically, the season runs from late September through late May.